Philippine Representative and former first lady Imelda Marcos sits as she waits for the opening of 3rd Regular Session of the 16th Congress at the House of Representatives in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday, July 27, 2015. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is set to deliver his last State of the Nation Address on Monday at congress. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
ILOCOS Norte Representative Imelda Marcos on Monday said President Benigno Aquino III “had not been nice” to her family.
The widow of former president Ferdinand Marcos said she hoped the Filipino people would be wiser in choosing the next President.
“All I can say is something personal; they have not been nice to the Marcoses,” Rep. Marcos said. She is set to attend Aquino’s last State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday.
“I’m sure that after six years, people will be smarter in choosing a President who will do great things for them, so this country will be great again,” she added, echoing the battle cry of her husband who ruled the country for 20 years.
Rep. Marcos declined to answer questions about the candidacy of her son Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“I don’t want to talk about elections. …. Let’s wait until October, let’s see what will happen,” she said.
“When you talk about the nation, you talk about democracy, when you talk about democracy , you talk about justice for all, not for one,” she added.
Ferdinand Marcos ruled the Philippines with an iron fist from 1966 to 1986, and it was under his administration President Aquino’s father, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., was assassinated.
Rep. Marcos’ family is subject of the government’s civil forfeiture case, for which her prized paintings were ordered seized by the Sandiganbayan. The paintings are believed to be part of the dictator’s alleged ill-gotten wealth.